It just got slightly easier to blow money on apps and games through Google Play all over the world. Google has updated the list of carriers that support carrier billing with six new entries. Going to buy yourself a little something?

The newly supported international carriers are Rogers and Fido in Canada, Tele 2 in Sweden, Megafon in Russia, and T-Mobile in Czech Republic. Here in the US, US Cellular joins the big four on the carrier billing list. Just open the payment method drop down in Google Play from your device to activate carrier billing. If you are on a supported carrier, anything you buy through Google Play can be paid for on your monthly bill rather than via a credit or debit card. Handy, right?

Today, Rogers is beginning to roll out carrier billing to the Google Play store to a select amount of Rogers customers.

We expect this service to be available to all customers in the coming weeks.

Andrew Kachaniwsky

All I know is it was working for me within 48 hours of that announcement.. I asked a couple people I know that were on Rogers and they said it had appeared for them as well. Perhaps the rollout wasn't that fast.. but it seemed so from my perspective.

Mobile Phones Fan

That's the old MPR2 ('multiple press releases maximize PR') trick. Rogers helpfully drags things out to feed the ever-ravenous news cycle, all with the overriding goal of improving their firm's public perception...and maybe their share-price, too.

Basically, it goes like this: You announce that you are doing Project A (in the future), then announce you will do Project A (soon), then announce you're starting on Project A (now), with more 'news' offered during and after the event(s), etc., etc.

It's a popular move in two business sectors: commoditized industries (e.g.: airlines, fast food, telecom operators) and philanthropy. When you have a chance, check out the Gates Foundation PR feed; Bill's people are masters at self-promotion.
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Martin

It's handy.. But one advice.. Don't let your kids try it :)

josuearisty

As far as I know there is a password protection in play store when try to buy something.

Caz

If Google could just introduce Movies (and TV) and Music in Sweden too... Bah! Suddenly not having Spotify living in Canada seems like nothing to me when I don't have my precious Google Movies any longer.

adamhs

I think the problem with TV/Movies is copyright issues with the movie studio. This is why, unfortunately, Netflix (and etc), doesn't work outside of the US. Same with some of the music streaming services that will not work outside of the US. The problem isn't really with Google here.

Also, your credit card statement will not be polluted with tiny charges that could all be rolled into one charge, distracting you from other, more tangible purchases.

As for why Google does it, it sure as hell saves them a whole bunch of money on credit card transactions.

Eoin Ó L

Just to give you my own example: I'm on a prepaid deal. I top up by €20 a month, and this gives me free calls at weekends and to my own network, unlimited free texts, unlimited free data, and €20 added to my balance. However, because I have so much free stuff, I don't normally spend anywhere near €20 in a month, so my balance tended to accumulate uselessly.

Then, Google Play carrier billing was enabled for my network. That meant that my balance was no longer a uselessly increasing number. It became something that I could spend on apps instead. So now, whenever I want an app, I just buy it and a my otherwise-useless balance goes from a high number to a slightly lower number. Assuming I buy a reasonable number of apps, they are effectively free.

Mobile Phones Fan

Because (unlike the questionable utility of Google Wallet) carrier billing is wanted/needed/used by millions of people around the world, especially in developing nations. But in our typically parochial viewpoint as North Americans, if we don't use it much then it can't be too important, right?

In fact, it accounts for a huge chunk of App Store revenue -- pre-iPhone, Apple had many such carrier deals in place for iPods / iTunes. Unfortunately, Google have been (and still are) well behind Cupertino. IIRC, they claimed just ten or so carrier-billing deals (worldwide!) so recently as late 2012.

Fortunately, Mountain View have been working extra hard to catch up....seems they've finally realized the value of getting outside the SV-centric mindset in at least this one regard. As such, this shift in priorities is a big reason Play Store revenues have lately shown lots of up-and-to-the-right motion.

Given Rogers' reputation, I wouldn't trust them with this. I'll stick to my credit card, thank you very much!

Gabriel Bobon

This service it is also available in Poland (on Play) but when I click on Buy I have only one option, to pay by card, nothing else... How can I choose to pay by carrier billing?
Thanks in advance guy!

yusufg

Have you disconnected WiFi your phone/3G enabled tablet and tried it via your carrier connection ? I think the initial setup requires one to do it when you are only connected via the carrier, subsequent payments can occur when you are on either.

If it still doesn't work, best to talk to your carrier about it. Sometimes you may need to opt-in to DCB via a phone-call/visit to carrier shop

Gabriel Bobon

Hi, thanks for your reply... It is the same in 4G data connection, option to pay by card via Google Wallet, nothing else...

Guest

Well, carrier billing was a reason for me to move from MTS Russia carrier to Beeline.

mirekk

Still can't spend my money on magazines, movies, series and music in Poland, so it's not getting any easier :P